On the other side of the corridor, Kotetsu and Izumo watched more and more Genin see through the Genjutsu and head to the third floor. They exchanged a glance and dispelled their Transformation Technique.
After returning to their original appearances, Kotetsu rubbed his temples and smiled wryly: "Kakashi-san's three little ones are really something... and that Uchiha Sasuke, that look just now almost made me think I'd run into an Uchiha Jonin."
He was still shaken.
When those crimson Sharingan swept over him, even though it was only an instant, it made Kotetsu feel as if he had been dragged into some cold, watery depth, a suffocating feeling hitting him instantly.
If this had been a battlefield, that momentary distraction would have been very dangerous!
Izumo also nodded, his expression somewhat grim: "That Menma... the way he broke the Genjutsu was too effortless."
Both were veteran Konoha's Chunin who had experienced many storms, but with this Chunin Exams, they felt they might be witnessing something extraordinary.
"Looks like this Chunin Exams will be quite interesting," Kotetsu said, rolling his shoulders and grinning. "Let's go, Izumo. Time to report to Ibiki-san. The first exam is about to start."
The two formed hand seals simultaneously and vanished in puffs of smoke.
Third Floor Corridor.
Just as Menma, Naruto, and Hinata stepped out of the stairwell, they saw a familiar figure lazily leaning against the windowsill.
Silver hedgehog hair, a black mask over his lower face, his right eye slanted behind his forehead protector, holding his ever-present book, Icha-Icha Paradise.
"Kakashi-sensei?" Naruto exclaimed in surprise. "What are you doing here?"
Kakashi slowly looked up from his book, his visible lazy eye sweeping over the three.
"Because this is the preliminary exam for the Chunin Exams," He said lazily.
He closed Icha-Icha Paradise, tucked it into his ninja tool pouch, and walked up to them, his tone uncharacteristically serious for a moment.
"Listen, the Chunin Exams are completely different from the missions you've done before. This isn't a test you can pass by fighting alone... it's a trial of teamwork."
Kakashi's gaze swept in turn over Menma, Naruto, and Hinata.
"The Chunin Exams are taken in three-man teams. From the moment you decided to participate, you must uphold the 'teamwork' concept. If any member of the team is absent or eliminated, the entire team loses the qualification to continue the exam."
He paused, his voice lowering slightly.
"This is the reality of being a Ninja. In real missions, your comrades are your support. If you can't protect or trust your own teammates, then that person lacks the qualifications to become a Chunin from the very beginning."
Naruto listened, seeming to understand but nodded firmly anyway: "I got it, Kakashi-sensei! We'll definitely pass together!"
Menma smiled, took three application forms from his ninja tool pouch, and handed them to Kakashi: "Then, we'll leave it to you, Kakashi-sensei."
Kakashi took the forms, glanced briefly over them, and upon confirming they were correct, his expression relaxed a bit. "Go on. I'll be waiting for your good news."
He stepped aside, revealing the door to room 301 behind him.
That door looked ordinary, but at this moment, it seemed to lead to another world.
Naruto immediately ignited with fighting spirit, waving his fists: "Kakashi-sensei, get the celebration party ready! We'll definitely become Chunin!"
Menma put a hand on his hip: "Kakashi-sensei better be ready to spend a lot. I hear the Barbeque King just released a limited wagyu set."
The corner of Kakashi's mouth twitched... clearly, Hinata's big appetite last time was still fresh in his memory.
But he quickly returned to his lazy demeanor: "Let's talk after you actually become Chunin."
Hinata, following closely behind Menma, also mustered her courage and said to Kakashi: "Please rest assured, Kakashi-sensei. We will definitely do our best."
"Mm." Kakashi nodded, watching the three walk towards the door.
Menma reached out and pushed open the classroom door.
Creak—
The heavy wooden door slowly opened, revealing the scene inside.
This was a large tiered classroom, large enough to hold over a hundred people.
At that moment, the classroom was already filled with Genin from various Ninja Villages, a dense, dark mass.
The instant the door opened, everyone's gaze simultaneously turned towards them.
There were fierce, cold, scrutinizing, and curious eyes.
Genin from different countries and villages, wearing various costumes and different forehead protectors… some with bandaged faces, some carrying oddly shaped ninja tools, some with clear killing intent in their eyes.
The atmosphere in the entire classroom was oppressive and grave, filled with silent competition and hostility.
Naruto was startled by this sight, instinctively stepping back half a step and muttering: "S-So many people... and they all look so fierce..."
But Menma remained as composed as ever. His gaze swept across the classroom, quickly catching several familiar figures.
In the corner of the Otogakure's section, Kabuto pushed up his glasses and gave him a gentle yet meaningful smile.
In the Land of Stars' section, Gaara sat with his arms crossed, eyes closed, as if everything around him was irrelevant.
Kankuro watched his surroundings vigilantly. When he saw Menma, his eyes visibly grew more serious.
Temari and a team with Karin, Ranmaru, and Kurotsuchi were chatting about something.
Over in the Kirigakure's section, Suigetsu sat with his legs casually crossed, even waving when he saw Naruto.
Chojuro smiled shyly, while Honoka looked thoughtfully at Menma.
There were also the Kumogakure's trio, Karui, Omoi, and Atsui… sitting by the window, talking quietly.
Just then, Sasuke's team and Lee's team also walked in one after another.
As soon as Sasuke entered, he felt the oppressive atmosphere, but he only frowned slightly. Sai's fake smile also hardened, while the other member remained silent as a ghost.
Soon, other Konoha's Genin gathered around.
"Yo, Menma, you guys got here pretty fast," Shikamaru said lazily as he walked over, followed by Choji and Ino.
Choji was happily crunching on a bag of potato chips, giving Menma a simple and honest smile when he saw him.
Ino, however, jumped directly to Sasuke's side, her eyes sparkling: "Sasuke-kun~ You're here!"
Kiba, Sakura, and Shino also walked over.
Kiba, with Akamaru on his head, said casually: "Hey, Sasuke, why the long face? You didn't do anything to those two guys on the second floor, did you?"
Sasuke gave a light snort, not speaking, but the impatience in his eyes was clearly growing stronger.
Ino was still clinging to him, practically hanging off his body: "Sasuke looks so handsome today too~"
Seeing this, Sakura instantly flared up, stepped forward, and pulled Ino away: "Ino-pig! Get your hands off Sasuke!"
"Forehead girl! What are you doing!"
The two girls were about to start arguing when suddenly—
A red figure flashed past them at astonishing speed, carrying a whiff of fragrance.
The next moment, that figure had already pounced onto Menma, clinging to his arm like a koala.
"Menma-nii~ You're finally here! Karin has been waiting for you for so long!"
Karin, wearing oval glasses with vibrant red long hair, was now blushing furiously, her eyes full of stars, her whole body pressed against Menma, making no effort to hide her infatuation and affection.
This scene made the entire classroom go silent for a moment.
Everyone's focus turned to them.
The Konoha rookies were collectively stunned.
Shikamaru's eyes widened, his mouth slightly open. He quickly glanced at Hinata, then instinctively stepped back half a step, murmuring: "Oh no... that woman..."
Choji's potato chip stopped at his mouth, his whole body frozen, even forgetting to chew.
Kiba shuddered, and Akamaru on his head even whimpered in fear, its ears drooping.
Sasuke looked grave, activating his Sharingan.
Ino and Sakura also forgot their quarrel, both shivering and instinctively hugging each other.
Naruto took three steps back, sweating on his forehead, and whispered: "I-I didn't see anything..."
And at that moment, Hinata, standing beside Menma, lowered her head. Her bangs covered her eyes, making her expression unreadable.
But her body was trembling slightly, her hands clenched tightly into fists.
A few seconds of dead silence…
Then, Hinata slowly raised her head.
The shy, gentle, timid Hinata from moments ago was gone.
In her place was a pair of white eyes filled with rage and dominance.
Veins bulged at the corners of her eyes. Those eyes held no trace of shyness, only naked possessiveness and warning.
A cold smile curved her lips. Her entire demeanor underwent an earth-shattering change, as if she were an angry lioness.
"You damn woman—"
Big Sis Hinata grabbed Karin's wrist and forcefully pulled her off Menma.
"Stay away from my Menma!"
Karin stumbled from being pulled but quickly steadied herself. Not only did she not back down, but she made a provocative face at Big Sis Hinata: "Nyah~ Menma-nii isn't yours alone…"
This sentence was like lighting a powder keg.
Big Sis Hinata's Byakugan suddenly widened, veins bulging around her pupils.
An invisible pressure erupted from her body like a shockwave, radiating outwards.
It wasn't just killing intent... it was a deterrent power originating from the depths of her bloodline… Big Sis Hinata's Byakugan Intimidation!
Karin, the closest, bore the brunt. Her face paled, and she instinctively stepped back half a step.
The air seemed to freeze.
Just then, a tall, thin man from the Otogakure's side, his face covered in bandages with only one eye visible, impatiently slammed his hand on the desk and stood up.
"Hey! You few Konoha brats! You're too arrogant! This isn't a place for your house—"
He didn't finish his sentence.
Big Sis Hinata suddenly turned her head, her icy Byakugan glaring fiercely at him.
Just one look…
Bang!
It was as if an invisible hammer struck the Otogakure's Ninja.
His entire body flew backward like a kite with its string cut, crashing heavily against the back wall of the classroom with a dull thud.
Cracks like a spiderweb appeared on the wall, dust raining down.
The Otogakure's Ninja slumped to the floor, blood at the corner of his mouth, his eyes filled with terror and disbelief.
The other Genin in the classroom also felt this terrifying pressure at the same time.
The entire classroom was now completely silent.
Over a hundred Genin, elites from various villages, were all looking at the Byakugan girl with expressions of shock, fear, and caution.
The girl who had just looked like a shy little rabbit was now radiating a pressure more terrifying than the vast majority of people present.
'What kind of power was that?'
'No hand seals, no physical attack, just a look, and she could send someone flying?'
"Anyone else have a problem?"
Big Sis Hinata coldly scanned the entire room. Her voice wasn't loud, but it clearly reached everyone's ears.
It made the ordinary Genin present shiver involuntarily.
After speaking, Big Sis Hinata re-took Menma's arm, glaring at Karin as if showing off.
Karin pouted, muttering quietly: "So fierce for what..."
Menma sighed helplessly and gently patted Hinata's hand: "Alright, alright, calm down. The exam is about to start."
Only then did Big Sis Hinata slightly rein in her aura, but her Byakugan still vigilantly scanned the surroundings, as if warning everyone.
The atmosphere in the classroom remained heavy, but unlike before, no one dared to underestimate this group of Konoha's Genin anymore.
In the corner, Gaara slowly opened his eyes, his green pupils looking at Hinata. He knew Karin's strength well... for her to be intimidated by Hinata, and for Hinata to be so intimate with Menma… he realized this woman was probably not easy to mess with either.
Temari and Kankuro exchanged glances, both seeing gravity in the other's eyes.
"That Hyuga's Byakugan... the princess of the main family, huh..." Temari said quietly.
Kankuro nodded, wiping cold sweat from his forehead: "That pressure just now... seems even stronger than Neji-san's."
Kurotsuchi helplessly rubbed her temples, while Ranmaru had an 'I knew it' expression.
Elsewhere, Suigetsu whistled: "Wow, are Konoha's girls always this fierce?"
Chojuro pushed up his glasses and whispered: "Suigetsu, don't talk recklessly, or you might get glared down too..."
Honoka looked with complex eyes at Karin, who also had red hair.
At the front of the classroom, Shikamaru patted his chest, looking troubled: "You scared me... for a moment there, I thought a fight was about to break out..."
Choji finally swallowed the potato chip in his mouth, saying with lingering fear: "Big Sis... so scary..."
Kiba nodded vigorously, Akamaru also trembling on his head.
Ino and Sakura hugged each other, both looking shaken.
"Everyone, be quiet! You useless lot!"
With a burst of smoke, a tall figure with short black hair, a face covered in crisscrossing scars, wearing a black coat, and with eyes as sharp as an eagle's, stepped out from the smoke.
Morino Ibiki, the head of Konoha's Interrogation Department, the proctor for the first written exam.
He appeared with a group of Ninja from Konoha's Interrogation Department.
His appearance silenced the last traces of whispering in the classroom.
Everyone's attention focused on him.
Ibiki scanned the classroom, then expressionlessly walked up to the podium.
"I am the proctor for the first exam, Morino Ibiki."
His voice was low and hoarse, carrying an authority.
"Before the exam begins, I will announce several rules."
He paused, his gaze sweeping the room like a blade.
"First, no talking during the exam, no passing notes, no using any Ninjutsu to cheat."
"Second, each team has three members. Each person starts with a base score of 10 points. The exam uses a deduction system. Each time cheating is detected, 2 points are deducted. If a team's total score falls below 0, the entire team is eliminated."
"Third, if any member of a team scores 0 points, the entire team is eliminated."
As his voice fell, a wave of suppressed gasps sounded in the classroom.
'These rules were too harsh.'
Ibiki watched the varied expressions of the audience below, a cruel smile curving at the corner of his mouth.
"Then, the first part of the Chunin Exams—"
"The written test, begins now."